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The City of Cranbrook is going ahead with the first two phases of a three-phase expansion of Cranbrook Airport. City council decided in late January to proceed with a phased expansion, Mayor Ross Priest said in an interview. In phases one and two, the airport’s runway will be extended by 2,000 feet to 8,000 feet and the terminal will more than double in size, from 9,400 square feet to about 22,000 square feet. Construction is estimated at $11 million and will be financed by a partnership of federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments. City staff have negotiated a project management contract with YVR Airport Services Ltd. of Vancouver, the parent company of Cranbrook Airport Services Ltd., which has operated the airport since 1997 when the City assumed ownership from Transport Canada.
The first phases of the project, expected to be operational by late 2006 or early 2007, will accommodate non-stop flights from anywhere in North America. Phase three, dependent on land acquisition and other outstanding issues, will see a further extension of the runway to 9,000 feet to accommodate aircraft flying direct from Europe, and enlargement of terminal facilities to 33,000 square feet. The expanded facilities are aimed primarily at the charter-flight tourist market but Mayor Priest says increased passenger volumes could eventually attract a low-cost carrier offering scheduled flights. Conservative estimates forecast an additional 50,000 passengers in the airport’s fifth year of expanded operation. Estimates are for 100,000 additional passengers annually, nine years into expansion. The airport recorded close to 81,000 passengers in 2004. East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett predicts airport expansion will have more economic impact on the region than any other development in the past 50 years. “We’ll look back 20 years from now and see this as the beginning of a period of unprecedented tourism growth in southeastern British Columbia, and we’ll point to expansion of Cranbrook Airport as the reason for it,” the MLA said. Bennett has worked with the City on the project since the first feasibility study was commissioned in 2001. It is anticipated the region’s tourist industry and other stakeholders will also support the expansion project by contributing to ongoing airport marketing costs, estimated at up to $500,000 annually. AIRPORT LOCATION: Cranbrook Airport is located on Airport Access Road, a short distance off Highway 95A, approximately 15 km from Cranbrook and 20 km from Kimberley. - From Creston and Cranbrook, take Highway 95A as you exit Cranbrook to the North.
- From Invermere and Fernie, take the Highway 95A exit prior to entering the city.
- From Kimberley, exit left onto Airport Access Road from Highway 95A.
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